FTC Action Halts Phony Grants Operation

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has halted a telemarketing scheme that took at least $3 million from consumers, including elderly and disabled persons, who sought help with paying personal expenses, such as credit card debts, medical bills, and home repairs. The FTC alleges that the defendants falsely told consumers they could […]

FTC Amends Privacy Act System of Records Notices

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted final amendments to its system of records notices under the Privacy Act of 1974 to ensure the Commission can disclose records to other agencies in the event of a data breach. The Privacy Act of 1974 authorizes federal agencies to adopt routine uses of agency records subject to […]

Therapist Staffing Company and Two Owners Settle Charges that They Colluded on Rates Paid to Physical Therapists in Dallas/Fort Worth Area

A Texas company that provides therapist staffing services to home health agencies, its owner, and the former owner of a competing staffing company have agreed to settle FTC charges that they agreed to reduce pay rates for therapists and invited other competitors to collude on the rates. Your Therapy Source and other therapist staffing companies […]

FTC and Florida Attorney General Say Scheme Used Deception to Sell Labor Law Posters

The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida have charged a Florida man and his company with tricking business owners into buying labor law posters by sending mailers that mimic invoices from a government agency or authority. Thomas Henry Fred, Jr. and Starwood Consulting LLC, also doing business as Corporate Compliance Services, sent the […]

FTC Testifies before Two House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittees About the Agency’s Work to Combat Payment Processors Who Facilitate Fraud

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Subcommittee on Government Operations, the Federal Trade Commission described its law enforcement program to fight consumer fraud, and the Commission’s actions against payment processors that facilitate fraud. Testifying on behalf of the Commission, the Director of the FTC’s […]

FTC Returns Money to People Targeted by Phony Debt Collection Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 597 checks totaling more than $184,000 to people who were allegedly tricked into paying phony debts. In October 2015, the FTC and the State of New York charged a group of defendants known as Delaware Solutions with collecting on debts that they knew were bogus. According to the complaint, […]

FTC Approves Final Revisions to Jewelry Guides

The Federal Trade Commission has amended its Jewelry Guides to help prevent deception in jewelry marketing. The Guides (formally, the “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries”) explain to businesses how to avoid making deceptive claims about precious metal, pewter, diamond, gemstone, and pearl products, and when they should make disclosures to avoid unfair […]

FTC Completes Review of Recycled Oil Rule

The Federal Trade Commission has completed its regulatory review of the Recycled Oil Rule (formally, the “Test Procedures and Labeling Standards for Recycled Oil”). The Rule, issued in 1995, allows manufacturers to represent that processed used engine oil is substantially equivalent to new oil as long as they substantiate such claims using American Petroleum Institute […]

Statement by FTC Bureau of Competition Acting Deputy Director Haidee L. Schwartz on the U.S. District Court’s Grant of a Preliminary Injunction and Announcement from Wilhelmsen Maritime Services that It will Abandon Acquisition of Drew Marine Group

Following a U.S. District Court ruling granting the Federal Trade Commission’s request for a preliminary injunction against Wilhelmsen Maritime Services’ proposed $400 million acquisition of Drew Marine Group, Wilhelmsen has announced that it will abandon the transaction. In response, FTC Bureau of Competition Acting Deputy Director Haidee L. Schwartz issued the following statement: “The U.S. […]

FTC and States Combat Fraudulent Charities That Falsely Claim to Help Veterans and Servicemembers

The Federal Trade Commission, along with law enforcement officials and charity regulators from 70 offices in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico, announced more than 100 actions and a consumer education initiative in “Operation Donate with Honor,” a crackdown on fraudulent charities that con consumers by falsely promising their […]